Nepal
is a country of 25 million people located between
China and India. Its mountains, lack of infrastructure,
and land-locked status pose extreme barriers
to development. Its per capita income is USD
$218 and the vast majority of people are subsistence
farmers. Government presence lies mainly in
the capital city of Kathmandu. Nepal's maternal
mortality ratio (MMR) of 539/100,000 births
ranks among the highest in the world. (In comparison,
Sri Lanka's MMR is 94, while the United States'
is just 8). Life expectancy is 55 years. Diseases
of pregnant women, children, infections, and
malnutrition account for two thirds of Nepal's
illnesses.There is a gaping disparity in the
quality of health care access offered in urban
and rural areas. While Kathmandu, the capital
city of Nepal, has 98 doctors for every 100,000
people, rural Nepal averages just 2.5 per 100,000
- and in many of its 75 districts, there is
no doctor. Many approved government posts of
all levels of health care workers are unfilled.For
example, for the whole of Nepal, 13% of all
baby deliveries are conducted by trained personnel;
and for the poorest fifth of the population
(mainly rural) the number is just 3%.As rural
areas have the greatest need of health services,
VSN has been focusing its health camps to meet
a small number of those need in urban and rural
areas of Nepal. With this program hundreds of
local people have been already benefited. While
Nepali underprivileged people are receiving
health services from health experts, overseas
medical professionals, medical students, and
other volunteers also receive the opportunity
to work side-by-side with other foreigners and
Nepali health professionals in a Third World
setting.During their time working in a health
camp, trained and experienced Nepali doctors
and other health personnel will accompany and
support the overseas volunteers.Health camps
are conducted for three to five days. Overseas
volunteers will work alongside their Nepali
counterparts to organize overall health camps,
examine patients,distribute medicine and consult
with communities about sanitation and health
care.
Health camps are located in the mountainous
and/or rural regions of Nepal. Volunteers live
for one to two weeks in the same manner as the
Nepali people. The participants camp in tents
near the clinic and eat traditional food cooked
by Nepali cooks.
As
this program will be organized in rural areas
of Nepal, this program would give volunteers
the opportunity to experience the rich culture,natural
splendor, panoramic views, short treks and daily
life of one of the most beautiful yet poorest
nations in the world, and at the same time experience
life in Nepal first-hand, working alongside
Nepali people to help support local communities
in Nepal.Before conducting health camps, volunteers
will be involved in organizing and conducting
health awareness to the youth clubs, women's
groups, school children and other local organizations.
If any one is interested in joining this programme
they may work in the permanent clinics in Kathmandu
or in rural settings. Volunteers may choose
a term of service ranging from one week to 2
months.Whilst we would prefer volunteers with
medical experience, anyone interested in healthcare
is invited to apply for this programme.
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